Curfew in Bangkok and provinces extended for three nights

A curfew imposed by Thai authorities in Bangkok and 23 Thai provinces Thursday will last for another three nights after an army crackdown on an anti-government "Red Shirt" protest leaders saw them surrender but ignited a wave of riots and arson.

REUTERS - Thai authorities on Thursday imposed a curfew for three more nights in Bangkok and 23 other provinces to quell conflict in the aftermath of an army offensive against anti-government protesters.

A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva "agreed to impose the curfew to better secure the area and curtail their activities", said Dithaporn Sasasmit, spokesman for the army-run Internal Security Operation Command.

A curfew was ordered in Bangkok and 23 provinces Wednesday night between 8pm and 6am to control looting and arson that broke out after the deadly campaign to close down the "Red Shirts" six-week occupation of central Bangkok.

However, the new curfew would be shortened to between 9pm and 5am, Dithaporn said, "to lessen the effect on the public".